GatorNation
04-22-2006, 06:47 PM
The Florida Gators picked up another defensive lineman for the class of 2007 during Saturday's spring game in Gainesville. One of the most highly-recruited prospects at his position in the Southeast picked the Gators ahead of several SEC and national programs, giving his pledge to head coach Urban Meyer and Charlie Strong, his Florida recruiter.
Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen's Sidell Corley (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=40758) picked the Gators ahead of in-state programs Auburn and Alabama and fellow SEC schools Georgia and Ole Miss.
"Sidell committed to Florida today," his father, also named Sidell, said. "We are down here at the spring game."
The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder had more than 45 scholarship offers and is one of the top prospects in the state of Alabama for this year's class.
"I'm finally glad to get it off my chest," the younger Corley said. "It just felt like today was the right time and right place to make the decision."
Playing time and the Gators coaching staff were two major factors.
"I have a chance to play early here," Corley said. "Plus I've got a great relationship with (head coach) Urban Meyer (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=279), a great relationship with my position coach Greg Mattison (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=286) and a great position with the defensive coordinator and my recruiting coach, coach Charlie Strong (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=288).
"The school has a great academic program. I just liked everything about it."
Corley said the decision is final.
"This is it," he said. "This is my new home."
[[....and from another article....]]
The University of Florida is entering uncharted waters. Sure the Gators added Markus Manson and Chad Jackson in the past, but ninety-nine times out of a hundred, when an Alabama prospect is targeted by the instate colleges, that's where he ends up. This is that one time in a hundred when it didn't happen and the Gators were able to walk away with a big-timer.
This time around the prize is 6-foot-4, 250-pound Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen defensive lineman Sidell Corley (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=40758).
"I wanted to make it a little earlier," Corley said of his commitment to the Gators. "My dad stopped me because he wanted me to see what other schools had to offer, but my family and all my friends think Florida's a great place and I think it's a great place and I wanted to make my commitment."
When opposing teams enter Alabama for a topnotch prospect, they usually leave empty handed if for no other reason than the fact that it is virtually impossible to say no to the instate colleges and their legions of die hard fans.
Corley had offers from both Alabama and Auburn, offers that were difficult to turn down.
"It's very hard because I have a relationship with both of those coaching staffs. I knew it would be hard to leave the state, but Florida was just the place for me. I'm glad to be a Gator."
At the end of the day, he said there were several reasons behind his choice.
"Florida has a great plan for my major, which is Sports Management," he said. "I have a great relationship with coach Meyer. I call him and coach Strong all the time. I also talk to coach Mattison. To me, those are the big three.
"The other thing was the atmosphere. The first time I went to the Swamp was last year for the Florida State game and I loved it then. The atmosphere is amazing."
As was the case with D'Angelo McCray and Jerry Howard, it also doesn't hurt that Florida has a favorable depth chart along the line with very little depth returning next year.
"The depth chart was a big factor. I really want to play early. I talked to D'Angelo McCray today and J Howard and they've already committed and they talked to me asking me when I'm going to commit. I was teasing with them telling them I wasn't ready, I was going to wait. But in the back of my mind I knew I was going to be a part of this d-line.
"They were a big help. The three of us are already cool with each other. You've got to have a relationship with the rest of your d-line. I feel like those two are my brothers already."
Now that his commitment is out of the way, Corley is turning his attention to recruiting others to join him in Gainesville.
Fellow Mobile (Davidson) prospect Michael McNeil (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=46793) accompanied him on the visit and if he receives a Florida offer, he could be next in line to make a public commitment.
"He came down here with me. He likes Florida too. We've always wanted to play for the same college. Hopefully big Mike comes with me."
That isn't the end of his duties as the Gators' newest recruiting coordinator. Corley said he wants to add some backfield help as well.
"We need some running backs in this class. I want to give a shout out to Armando Allen and I want to let Chris Rainey know that we need those two. I feel like we're on our way to the best recruiting class and if we can add those two it would be even better.
"I want to win a National Championship, I want to go to the NFL. I feel like with that class last year and if we can add the number-one class this year, that's building to a National Championship."
_______________
Bristol (Conn.) Bristol Central tight end Aaron Hernandez (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=42426) committed to home state school UConn early in the recruiting process to join his brother, D.J., in building the Huskies into a Big East power. However, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Rivals100 pass catcher had a change of heart this weekend.
"I committed to Florida," said Hernandez. "I've been down here in Florida for the whole week and I feel that this is the best situation for me. I talked to coach Edsall at UConn before I made my decision and I spoke to my brother. I just feel this is what I have to do."
Hernandez, arguably the nation's top tight end, keep quiet about his visit to Gainesville for the most part.
"I tried to keep it low key," he said. "I didn't want a bunch of attention. I just like the opportunity to play for a national title down here, and I think I can play right away. They have a good tradition there at tight end and in that offense they pass a lot. I'm excited."
Is Hernandez done?
"That's it, it's over," he said. "No more schools, no more visits, this is it. I really intended on sticking with my UConn commitment, but this is a chance for me to do a lot of things I want to do down here."
Hernandez caught 67 passes for 1,807 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior, setting many state records in the process.
Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen's Sidell Corley (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=40758) picked the Gators ahead of in-state programs Auburn and Alabama and fellow SEC schools Georgia and Ole Miss.
"Sidell committed to Florida today," his father, also named Sidell, said. "We are down here at the spring game."
The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder had more than 45 scholarship offers and is one of the top prospects in the state of Alabama for this year's class.
"I'm finally glad to get it off my chest," the younger Corley said. "It just felt like today was the right time and right place to make the decision."
Playing time and the Gators coaching staff were two major factors.
"I have a chance to play early here," Corley said. "Plus I've got a great relationship with (head coach) Urban Meyer (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=279), a great relationship with my position coach Greg Mattison (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=286) and a great position with the defensive coordinator and my recruiting coach, coach Charlie Strong (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=288).
"The school has a great academic program. I just liked everything about it."
Corley said the decision is final.
"This is it," he said. "This is my new home."
[[....and from another article....]]
The University of Florida is entering uncharted waters. Sure the Gators added Markus Manson and Chad Jackson in the past, but ninety-nine times out of a hundred, when an Alabama prospect is targeted by the instate colleges, that's where he ends up. This is that one time in a hundred when it didn't happen and the Gators were able to walk away with a big-timer.
This time around the prize is 6-foot-4, 250-pound Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen defensive lineman Sidell Corley (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=40758).
"I wanted to make it a little earlier," Corley said of his commitment to the Gators. "My dad stopped me because he wanted me to see what other schools had to offer, but my family and all my friends think Florida's a great place and I think it's a great place and I wanted to make my commitment."
When opposing teams enter Alabama for a topnotch prospect, they usually leave empty handed if for no other reason than the fact that it is virtually impossible to say no to the instate colleges and their legions of die hard fans.
Corley had offers from both Alabama and Auburn, offers that were difficult to turn down.
"It's very hard because I have a relationship with both of those coaching staffs. I knew it would be hard to leave the state, but Florida was just the place for me. I'm glad to be a Gator."
At the end of the day, he said there were several reasons behind his choice.
"Florida has a great plan for my major, which is Sports Management," he said. "I have a great relationship with coach Meyer. I call him and coach Strong all the time. I also talk to coach Mattison. To me, those are the big three.
"The other thing was the atmosphere. The first time I went to the Swamp was last year for the Florida State game and I loved it then. The atmosphere is amazing."
As was the case with D'Angelo McCray and Jerry Howard, it also doesn't hurt that Florida has a favorable depth chart along the line with very little depth returning next year.
"The depth chart was a big factor. I really want to play early. I talked to D'Angelo McCray today and J Howard and they've already committed and they talked to me asking me when I'm going to commit. I was teasing with them telling them I wasn't ready, I was going to wait. But in the back of my mind I knew I was going to be a part of this d-line.
"They were a big help. The three of us are already cool with each other. You've got to have a relationship with the rest of your d-line. I feel like those two are my brothers already."
Now that his commitment is out of the way, Corley is turning his attention to recruiting others to join him in Gainesville.
Fellow Mobile (Davidson) prospect Michael McNeil (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=46793) accompanied him on the visit and if he receives a Florida offer, he could be next in line to make a public commitment.
"He came down here with me. He likes Florida too. We've always wanted to play for the same college. Hopefully big Mike comes with me."
That isn't the end of his duties as the Gators' newest recruiting coordinator. Corley said he wants to add some backfield help as well.
"We need some running backs in this class. I want to give a shout out to Armando Allen and I want to let Chris Rainey know that we need those two. I feel like we're on our way to the best recruiting class and if we can add those two it would be even better.
"I want to win a National Championship, I want to go to the NFL. I feel like with that class last year and if we can add the number-one class this year, that's building to a National Championship."
_______________
Bristol (Conn.) Bristol Central tight end Aaron Hernandez (http://www.florida.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=42426) committed to home state school UConn early in the recruiting process to join his brother, D.J., in building the Huskies into a Big East power. However, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Rivals100 pass catcher had a change of heart this weekend.
"I committed to Florida," said Hernandez. "I've been down here in Florida for the whole week and I feel that this is the best situation for me. I talked to coach Edsall at UConn before I made my decision and I spoke to my brother. I just feel this is what I have to do."
Hernandez, arguably the nation's top tight end, keep quiet about his visit to Gainesville for the most part.
"I tried to keep it low key," he said. "I didn't want a bunch of attention. I just like the opportunity to play for a national title down here, and I think I can play right away. They have a good tradition there at tight end and in that offense they pass a lot. I'm excited."
Is Hernandez done?
"That's it, it's over," he said. "No more schools, no more visits, this is it. I really intended on sticking with my UConn commitment, but this is a chance for me to do a lot of things I want to do down here."
Hernandez caught 67 passes for 1,807 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior, setting many state records in the process.